Just saw a 60 plus woman looking great.

[randomer]

in a dropped waist black dress, black boots, chunky but not ridiculous nice scarf( not frumpy), short funky grey hair. Cross body bag.

I have lost it, if indeed I ever had it and look like a sag of spuds. Yes a sag of spuds. Just that.

@justanotherneighinparadise

She’s probably in her 50s 🤭

You see I'm 53, have what may be considered a fit body, I work out a lot. But, I have very little time, I'm disorganised with my wardrobe,, especially since lockdown, and I've stopped wearing lipstick because of face masks and lock down. I on,y wear earrings because other wise I look worse on Zoom and msteams etc. I need to sort myself out, need motivation

Sag?

I saw someone wearing turquoise eyeliner the other day, and it looked fantastic, especially with her face mask. I just don't know which bright eye colours would suit me

My boss is 5’2 and always looks gorgeous. Slim, near bob. wool dresses and boots, lovely necklaces. She’s in her 60s. Then in lockdown her hair was still always perfect so I asked her secret and she whispered conspiratorially that she cuts it herself. I almost hate her.

She has been my inspiration to lose nearly 3 stone a couple of years ago and keep it off, though, so I’m grateful to her for that.

*neat bob

We have a theme developing, slim and tall is ideal. If tall is not available, slim is the next best thing.

I am 60 and six feet tall. Size 14. I try not to frighten small children. 😀
I exercise, eat well, have cut down alcohol. I love skinny jeans and chunky boots.
Definitely look and feel better than I did ten years ago, helped by a divorce and putting myself first

what I find a bit odd @randomer is that you seem to expect women of 60 to wear shawls and mob caps ( or droopy skirts and jumpers.)

Why are you so ageist?

Most of my friends that age wear things that younger women wear, but maybe slightly toned down.

Am confused by the reference to cross body bags as being a good thing as my 17 year old told me that if I wore my new (beautiful, designer) bag that way I would look like 'a mum.' (I'm 51, and obviously I am a mum).

I don’t think I’d be taking a 17 year old’s opinion on my style choices too seriously, tbh. They’re supposed to think that older women are mumsy/not cool (or whatever).

But then I’m quite secure in my style choices. I’m not a slave to trends - I pick what I like, if anything at all, and make it work with my quite classic look(s). If I end up looking cool, great, but otherwise I’m quite happy to look elegant/stylish/well put together.

I also don’t at all agree that one has to be slim to look good. Sure it helps a lot...And you’ll have an easier time finding things that sit right and work for you...But it’s perfectly possible to be a bigger size and look great - it’s much more about claiming your rightful space in the world, that you’re absolutely entitled to no matter what height, weight or ‘attractiveness’ level, saying ‘fuck it’ to the tyranny of fashion and especially to the cult of youthfulness, and dressing in a way that makes you happy and makes you feel good.

Some of us oldies have had a life-long addiction to clothes and fashion , and are vain enough to exercise for health, fitness and posture. I have clothes that I've had since the 1970s (and handed-down evening dresses from my late great-aunt that go back to the 1930s) that I still get out from time to time.

Like the rest of the world, I wear mainly jeans, boots/sneakers and knits, with waterproofs most of the year, all with very carefully chosen accessories. DS sometimes tells me an outfit looks good, and I float on air! For me, it's purely enjoyment: we all wear clothes.

@chocolatesaltyballs22

Am confused by the reference to cross body bags as being a good thing as my 17 year old told me that if I wore my new (beautiful, designer) bag that way I would look like 'a mum.' (I'm 51, and obviously I am a mum).

Oh I just noticed it was you! (I’ve had a seasonal namechange...)

Which new bag is this? Mulberry Bayswater satchel (I think that’s one you were considering or had already bought - sorry, I’ve a really shit memory!)? Or have you picked up another glorious bag?

Photos please! 😊😊

My colleague is turning 60 and she is the epitome of style. I have never met anyone who can layer like she does. Cashmere, a dress, a skirt, DMs, a floaty cardigan.. She looks absolutely fabulous.

I am in awe. If I wore that combo I'd look actually deranged.

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule LOL hello, how's things?

Ok here it is. 17yo LOVES the bag but declares it can never ever be worn cross body. 😆

[quote chocolatesaltyballs22]@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule LOL hello, how's things?

Ok here it is. 17yo LOVES the bag but declares it can never ever be worn cross body. 😆[/quote]
To be honest I kinda get where she’s coming from. But I’ve a very strong rebellious streak, even now in my 40s, and for that reason I often do things just for the sake of it to ensure I’m not being dictated to too much!

What a beautiful bag.😍😍 I’m nowhere near getting another one - cannot for the life of me save at this time of year with 3 birthdays in Nov/Dec, plus Christmas. Ah well. Maybe in the summer sales next year!

@JinglingHellsBells, I'm not sure where I said 60 plus had to wear mob caps. nor did I express surprise at seeing the inspirational woman. It was merely an observation.
People can wear what they like.

I suppose like a lot of people I am struggling with low mood which feeds into ( excuse pun) low self esteem, over eating and so on.

Being short isn't great for choosing clothes. On the websites there's usually a sentence about the model's height and what size they're wearing, and it's no coincidence that I've never yet seen one of them under 5'8", and often taller, wearing a size 8. However good they look, I have to take a step back and ask myself what it would look like on size 8 but 5'1" me.

Sorry @randomer but beg to differ :)

Your subject line 'Just saw a 60 plus woman looking great' surely suggests that you were shocked. You'd not have said the same about a woman of 30 or 40, would you? :)

I object as a 60-plus to perceptions of women looking a 'certain something' at various ages.

I'm an 8-10, can swap clothes with my 30 yr old DD, wear skinny jeans, boots, parkas, trench coats, smart coats blah blah.

Wearing skinny jeans and big hobnail boots when you are in your 60s is not always a great look. Actually, it’s not a great look for many.

Size doesn’t tend to make a difference.

it’s much more about claiming your rightful space in the world, that you’re absolutely entitled to no matter what height, weight or ‘attractiveness’ level, saying ‘fuck it’ to the tyranny of fashion and especially to the cult of youthfulness, and dressing in a way that makes you happy and makes you feel good

Absolutely. This times a million.

@JinglingHellsBells, no I wasn't shocked. I noted the look in a sea of mediocrity in Waitrose. Then I thought, " I'll post this in a light hearted manner, it may spark up a discussion and perhaps I can glean a few tips"

Instead, I find a smug person telling me her dress size and that she can swap clothes with her daughter.

@randomer,

I remember when I was on a trip to New York in May one year and because it was Summer I had only a light jacket and shorts. It was teeming rain and I was like a drowned rat. I was in a shop to shelter from the rain and a women came in, a woman in her 70's at least, and she looked so amazing. She had a fabulous trench coat, jeans, flat shoes with a gold buckle and a hat - kind of like a Barbour rain hat. I went up to her and told her she looked amazing and she was delighted.

Her style inspired me for a long time after.

I think you can look at that lady you saw in Waitrose and be inspired and perhaps use that inspiration to make small changes to yourself. And remember, you are never too old to look fabulos so set yourself some short term and some medium term goals. And don't be too hard on yourself - you are going through a tough time, but self care, taking time for you and taking time to look after yourself, is not selfish, it is essential to our physical and mental health.

Good luck.

[quote randomer]@JinglingHellsBells, no I wasn't shocked. I noted the look in a sea of mediocrity in Waitrose. Then I thought, " I'll post this in a light hearted manner, it may spark up a discussion and perhaps I can glean a few tips"

Instead, I find a smug person telling me her dress size and that she can swap clothes with her daughter.[/quote]
Instead, I find a smug person telling me her dress size and that she can swap clothes with her daughter.

She really was missing the point, wasn’t she?